It was to be my father's 60th birthday. My step-mother had planned a HUGE hoedown in honor of this monumental occassion.
Knowing that I would be unable to attend due to the distance, I planned a very special present. I had written a poem that was a continuation of the poem "Daddy's Little Girl" which I had written him while still in high school. In this latter part, the little girl had grown up and had children of her own. I had also incorporated a video of the two of us throughout the years.
I called my sister Jodi and explained to her what I was doing and what I needed her to do at the party. Once I described my gift, her response was simply, "Oh great, this makes my Clemson t-shirt look real good!" she said facetiously. She did not want to read the poem as the video was playing....
What she did do however was try to top me in the gift giving arena.
She went to the craft store and purchased a wooden dowel. She also bought a musical card that played Happy Birthday. Removing the musical device and taping it onto the dowel with tennis racquet handle tape, then sharpening the opposite end of the dowel she created her masterpiece.
So who gave the better gift I ask you? The heart-felt poem from a daughter to her father wrapped in pictures that wound through time and space, or a musical marshmellow poker. If competition is good for the soul and laughter is good medicine, then on the night of my father's party many happy, healthy people could most assuredly be found.
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